Here’s a quick design tip on working with photos from issue 43 of Before&After Magazine.
It’s easy to overlook a slightly tilted horizon, especially when another angle (the bridge) is thrown in. But horizons should be level, and water must be level. When a photo has water, think of a soup bowl, and don’t spill it. Leveling an image will require cropping all four sides.
While a camera tilt can be weak, ambiguous and undesirable, a bold, artistic tilt can energize a composition! It’s especially effective on images that have strong, straight lines.
CreativePro members can download original content from Before&After Magazine, a beloved resource that taught a generation of newly minted digital designers how to design and communicate effectively with the written word. See our archive here.
© John McWade/Before&After Magazine, courtesy of Gaye Anne McWade.
This article was last modified on January 4, 2026
This article was first published on October 11, 2024
Commenting is easier and faster when you're logged in!
Recommended for you
Before&After: Design a Card the Easy Way
A photo and one block of type are all it takes to make a beautiful business card...
Before&After: Make Desktop Holiday Cards
If you need to make your own quick and easy holiday card, this one fits the bill...
Before&After: Design a Wrap-Around Brochure
A skillfully worded flap on this brochure folds over that appealing face and bec...